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Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick will miss the Premiership clash with Aston Villa amid reports he has an ankle ligament injury which could keep him out for up to a month.

The £18.6million summer arrival from Tottenham has been a regular member of the Red Devils side that has risen to the top of the Premiership this term, and is finding top form after taking a while to settle at Old Trafford.

Carrick was expected to play alongside Paul Scholes in central midfield at Villa Park as United looked to consolidate their two-point lead over Chelsea.

However, the Wallsend-born player did not travel to the midlands last night and his place is likely to go to either John O’Shea or Darren Fletcher.

Sir Alex Ferguson has yet to reveal the extent of Carrick’s problem, but if he is sidelined for the next four weeks it could rule him out for a minimum of six games and make him an extreme doubt for the key visit to Arsenal on January 21.

Carrick, 25, did suffer a minor ankle injury shortly after joining United but missed only the opening game against Fulham, since when he has played some part in every Premiership game with the exception of the win at Middlesbrough earlier this month.